Apr 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts in the second half against the Denver Nuggets during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Apr 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts in the second half against the Denver Nuggets during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
At just 25 years old, Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards has already established himself as one of the NBA’s best players. With an eccentric personality and an electrifying playing style, Edwards is widely viewed as the torchbearer for the next generation.
Anthony Edwards was among the league’s best performers last season, posting 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range. Having made only 61 appearances, he wasn’t eligible for any postseason awards. Still, given that he finished top 10 in the MVP race in two consecutive seasons prior, Edwards is truly phenomenal. So what are the next steps forward?
According to Max Kellerman, winning the NBA title could be what separates Anthony Edwards from being a phenomenal player and being the face of the league. Kellerman got the ball rolling on this topic during a recent episode of the “Game Over” podcast, stating:
“Ant is my pick. If Anthony Edwards wins a championship, he’s the type of dynamic athlete who could start to take over the league in terms of really being one of the premier faces. Because, as different as Wemby is, Anthony Edwards is a more regular-sized human; he’s American, he has an easy name to pronounce, and he can probably move shoes.”
“Anthony Edwards is more of the mold of the kind of face of the league that Americans are used to,” Kellerman added. “I think it would be enormous for him.”
While Kellerman’s rationale seemed solid, co-host Rich Paul wasn’t as convinced of Anthony Edwards’ motivation to be the face of the league, a title the 25-year-old has rejected in the past. Paul argued:
“But the pressure doesn’t seem to be on today’s guys as they were on yesterday’s guys. You just felt like Kobe had to win. Even a guy like Paul Pierce had to win, just get the one. Obviously, LeBron had to win… Coming from the basketball ecosystem, you just felt like those guys had to win.”
“It felt like it was more on those guys to have to win,” Paul continued. “It wouldn’t be a conversation back then. The threshold was to actually go and win a championship. It doesn’t feel as if it’s the same today.”
Kellerman seems to strike the right note with his point, but Paul’s reasoning doesn’t seem as far-fetched either. While Anthony Edwards is certainly a marketable player with all the right tools and traits to be considered the face of the NBA, the expectations to win the NBA title aren’t as great.
To be clear, this should not be confused with Anthony Edwards’ desire to win, which seems beyond question. However, it does raise questions about how media narratives paint different players and their legacies.
Despite being one of the biggest stars in the NBA, Edwards represents a relatively small-market franchise. Thus, even though the Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the most competitive teams in the Western Conference over the past few years, the media spotlight is not consistently as bright.
In comparison, the circumstances were very different for players like Kobe Bryant, and even LeBron James, for that matter. Both of these players, and even Paul Pierce, were the cornerstones for big-market teams. When factoring in the pressure that comes with representing a franchise of that stature, the backlash for failure is far greater.
While Paul’s point may have extended to virtually every star in that era, it is clear that the pressure on superstars in the modern era, especially those in smaller markets, is different. Still, it does not negate what a ring would mean for Anthony Edwards’ legacy.
With the acquisition of LaMelo Ball, the Timberwolves have certainly improved Anthony Edwards’ chances of competing for the NBA title on paper. Given that the 25-year-old is constantly pitted against San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama as the next face of the league, the clash between the two is bound to be more interesting in the coming seasons.